Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1887-05-14
CHAPTER II.


HOW THE SISTERS CAME TO MooIFoNTEIN.
"Capt. Mel" said Bessie Croft flor that was
her name) when they had painfully limped
100 yards or SO, "will you think me rude if
ask you a questions"
"Not at all.n
aWhat has induced you to come and bury
yourself in this place"
"Why DO you askp
because don't think that you viii like it.
don't think" she added. slowly, that it is
ct place for an English gentleman and an
army officer like you. You will find the
Boer ways horrid, and then there will only
be my old uncle and us two for you to associ-
ate with"
John Mel laughed English gentlemen
amt so particular nowadays, can tell you,
Miss Croft, especially when they have to earn
a living. Take my case, for instance, for
may as well tell you exactly how stand.
have been in the army fourteen years, and
am now "a Well, have been able to live
there because had an old aunt who allowed
me a120 a year. Six months ago she died,
leaving me the little property she pos
sessed, for most of her income came
from an annuity. After paying ex-
penses, duty, ETC., it amounts 10
a1 ,115. Now, the interest on that is about
ESQ year. and ! can't live in the army on
that. Just after my aunt's death l came to
Durham with my regiment from Maurltlus,
and now they are ordered home Wen,
liked the country, and knew that l could
not afford to live at home, SO got years
leave of absence, and made up my mind 10
have a look round to see if could not take
to farming. Then gentleman in Durham
told me of your uncle, and said that ne
wanted to dispose of a third interest in his
place for e1 600, as he was getting too old to
manage it himself; and so entered into cor
respondence with him and agreed to come up
for few months to see how liked it, and
accordingly here 1 am, just in time to save
you from being knocked to bits by an os-
trich."
"Yes, indeed" she answered, laughingly;
ayou've had warm welcome at any rate.
Well, hope you will like it."
Just as he finished his story they got to the
top of the rise over which the ostrich had
pursued Bessie Croft, and saw Kafir COM
ing toward them, leading the pony in one
hand and Capt Niel's horse in the other.
About 100 yards behind the horses lady was
walking.
"Ah," said Bessie, athey've caught the
horses. and here is jess come to see what Is
the matter"
By this time the lady in question was quite
close, so that John was able to get first i'm
preston of her. She was small and rather
thin, with quantities of curling brown hair
| not by any means lovely woman, as her sis
| ter undoubtedly was, but possessing two very
remarkable characteristics--a complexion OF
extraordinary and uniform pallor, and pain
of the most beautiful dark eyes he had evei
! looked on. Altogether, though her size was
almost insignificant, she was striking look
| ing person, with face one was not likely te
forget Before he had time to observe any
more they were up to them.
"What on earth is the matter, Bessiea" sht
said, with quick glance at her companion
and speaking in a low, full voice, with just
slight South African accent, that is taking
enough in a pretty woman. Whereupor
Bessie broke out with history of their ad
venture, appealing to her companion for con
! firmation at intervals.
Meanwhile her sister, jess, stood quite still
and silent, and it struck Capt. Mel that hel
face was the most singularly impassive on'
he had ever seen. 1t never changed, ever
when her sister told how the ostrich rolled OF
her and nearly killed her, or how they finally
subdued the foe. "Dear me-" he thought t.
D
She can't have much heart" But just as III
thought it the girl looked up, and then h
saw where the expression lay. 1t was il
those remarkable eyes. Impassive as her fac
was, the dark eyes were alight with life and I
sort Of excitement that made them shin,
gloriously. The contrast between the shining
eyes and the impassive face beneath then
struck him as SO extraordinary as to be al
most uncanny; and, as a matter of fact, i
was doubtless both unusual and remarkable
"You have had wonderful escape, but
am sorry for the bird, !" she said at last.
"Why2" asked John.
because we were great friends. / was tn
only person who could manage him."
"Yes," put in Bessie, "the savage brut
would follow her about like dog. 1t wa
just the oldest thing ever saw But, com
on, we must be getting home; it's growing
dark Mouti" medicine)-addressing tn
Katfir in Zulu-"help Capt. Mel on to hi
horse Be careful that the saddle does no
twist round; the girths may be loose"
Thus adjured, John, with the help of tn
Zulu, clambered into his saddle, an exampl
that the lady quickly followed, and they ono
more set of through the gathering darknes,
Presently he became aware that they wer
passing up a drive bordered by tall blue gum;
and next minute the barking Of a large do
and the sudden appearance of lighted window
told him that they had reached the houss
AT the door-pr, rather, opposite to it, fo
there was a veranda in front--they stoppe
and got of their horses. AS they did so, ou
of the house there came a shout of welcom,
and presently in the doorway, showing ou
clear against the light. appeared a stril